The Montverde Academy girls soccer team delivered a dominant performance on Thursday evening, defeating Umatilla High School 8-0 in the semifinal round of the FHSAA Class 3A District 6 Championship. The victory came via mercy rule, with the match ending less than four minutes into the second half.
The Eagles wasted no time asserting control, jumping out to a 7-0 lead by halftime. Caroline Ritchey opened the scoring in the seventh minute, converting a penalty kick to put Montverde Academy on the board. Just one minute later, Brianna Burkhalter and Vienna Morgan scored back-to-back goals in the eighth minute to quickly extend the lead.
Joy Palacios added a goal in the 15th minute before Ritchey struck again in the 22nd minute, making it 5-0.
Marta Arbenina found the back of the net in the 30th minute, followed by Penelope Gentry in the 34th to cap a high-powered first half for the Eagles.
Montverde Academy secured the mercy rule victory early in the second half when Addison White scored in the 44th minute.
With the win, Montverde Academy improves to 15-1-1 on the season.
The No. 1 seed Eagles will now host the FHSAA Class 3A District 6 Championship on Tuesday, January 27, at 6:00 p.m., against No. 2 seed Lake Highland Prep in a rematch of last season's district final. That championship match ended in a scoreless draw before Montverde Academy claimed the title with a 3-0 victory in penalty kicks. Montverde Academy will be aiming to capture its fourth consecutive district championship.
